Table lighter



Jan. 6, 1953 F. N. MARIANI TABLE LIGHTER Filed July 2o, 195o INVENTOR 1FFH/Vl( M MR/HNI ATTORNEY F. N. MARIANI TABLE LIGHTER Jan. 6, 1953 2SHEETS- SMT 2 Filed July 20. 1950 .6i wig .25

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vmeans on which the. fuel tank' is` Patented Jan. 6, 1953 UNITED STATE SPATENT OFFICE 2,624,187 TABLE LIGHTER A Frank N. Mariani, New York, N.Y. 1 Application 111151.20, 1950, Serial No. 174,921

` 1 Thepresent invention is directed to acigarette `lighter and moreparticularly to a table cigarette land cigar lighter. One object is toprovide in a cigarette lighter a slidably guided fuel tank in companiondetachable parts of a housing., Another object residesjin the provisionof actuating means for unlocking a pivoted flame snuffer toautomatically velevate the fuel tank and concomitantly raise thecooperating saturated wick ignited automatically` on opening of thesnuffer. Another object ,is realized in automatically depressing thefuel tank on closing of the pivoted snuifer. A further object is toprovide ahousing comprisinga bowl inY which the lower part of the fueltank is resiliently seated and a casing detachably associated with thebowl and in part surrounding the fuel tank. A further objectVcontemplates the utilization of a pedestal for supporting the bowllcarrying spring positioned. More specically another object is toprovide a table lighter simulating a trophy but having one handlethereof serving as means to actuate a swingable spring controlled latchto automatically unlock the pivoted snuffer for producing a flame on awick carried by the resiliently supported and slidably guided fuel tank.Other salientobjects and important feature will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description viewed in the light of the accompanyingdrawings wherein: Y Y A fg. 1 is affront velevational view of the tablelighter according to one embodiment of my inventon. I y Y Fig'. 2 is aplan view of Fig. 1. Y

Fig. l3 is a vertical sectional viewV on the line 3-3of Fig. 2illustrating the vertically slidable wick and uid carrier held depressedby the depending Ycollar of the snuffel' in the Vclosed and lockedrelationofthe latter.` K 'K Fig.A 4V is a' view similar to Fig. 3 butshowing the pivoted snuifer opened at which time the fluid carrier orfuel tank is fully elevated. A Fig. fla is a sectional view on theline4ax-4a ofFig.'4.. rvFig.'5lis ya matelygon the line 5-5'of Fig. 4. fFig. 6 is anV enlargedV fragmentary view of '7 isla sectional View onthe line 'I-T of Sis an exploded viewv inperspective of the iiintholder,r 'it'spivotedlatchand the spring for cSin'slt'irfwiy'`.,irgmgAVAthe latter toitspiocking relation. 'Thismview also illustratesv aportion of the horizontal sectional view approxitop wall 2 slidable wickcarrying nipple of the fuel tank extending into the block of the flintholder.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating another embodimentaccording to my invention.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view'on'the line Ill- III of Fig. 9,and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of thev pivoted latch shown in Fig. 9. g i

The .table lighter, generally designated TL comprises housing Hcharacterized by the lower bowl B and the upper detachable cylindrical casing C. A

Depending from the lower part of bowl B lis the cylindrical shank Sadapted to beseated on neck N of the hollow and cylindrical pedestal P.Screw I0 detachably holds shank S depending from bowl B on neck N and asleeve II is force fitted on shank S which embodies recess I2 recevinghelicoidal spring I3 on which is seated threaded closure or plug lI 4effectively sealing the slidable fuel tank FT having cylindrical andhollow nipple I5 threadably receiving wick W. K

Nipple I5 is integral Vwith and projects above I6 of the fuel tank FT.Depending from top wall I6 is the hollow boss I'I. constituting a reliefchamber for receiving the lower part of flint holder FH, namely, tube Thaving a lower externally threaded portion TP removably interconnectedwith the internally threaded cap I8.

Cylindrical casing C includes the relatively thick top wall 2!)r fromwhich integrally depends the rectangular shell or boss RS provided witha lowerwall 2l having circular opening 22 for receiving tube T of theflint holder which is also characterized by the rectangular block BBprovided with opening 23 for slidably receiving circular nipple I5. i

Flint F appropriately confined in holder FH (Fig. 6) Vvand slidablyreceived in bore 24 of tube T is urged to frictionallv bear against thetoothed wheel 25 by spring 216 coacting also with the slidable andremovable tumbler 21 in tube T.'

Fulcrum pin P (Fig. '7) is arranged within sleeve SS interposed betweenspaced ears E of the swingable cap or snuffer SN. This sleeve extendsthrough the spaced perforated ears 30 projecting from block BB of theflint holder FH. Spring generally SP (Figs. 5 and '7) hasfcoils 3lsurrounding sleeve SS and embodies the U shaped spring 'arm 32 bearingagainstA the flint holder FH. This spring also includes the spacedspring arms 33 abutting the inside wall of snuffer SN which by reason ofthe construction described is pivoted on pin P but is normally urged inan open or raised position by spring arms 33.

Mounted on sleeve S is a dog or ratchet D cooperating with teeth as 355on one side of gear wheel 25 to rotate the latter as the snuffer ispivotally opened. This construction is well known in the art.

Associated with the front wall of snuifer SN is hook 34 cooperating tointerlock with a companion hook or keeper means 35 of a latch ,L havinga fixed pin 36 overhanging the sides thereof and rotatably confined inthe alined notches 3'! (Fig. 8) of the arms 33 of block BB. Y Arms 38together with wall 39 dene a recess bridged by pin 35 also appropriatelymounted in the alined recess 39 (Fig. 7) interrupting bottom wall 2| ofthe depending hollow boss-RS.

Depending from the ltop wall of the pivoted snuifer SN is the collar ortubular member' t@ cooperating with ring shaped rubber washer 4| seatedabout the. upper -contracted part of nipple l and on shoulder- ISAtoeifectively seal the upperend ofthe wick to extinguish its flame. LockL is normally urged away from nipple l5 by the normally expandiblespring l2 having ends-'appropriately retained in alined recessesin theflint holder FH and latch L as illustrated.

-With the pivoted snuffer SN locked as shown in Fig. 3, hooks 34 and `35are interlocked, thus holding the snuifer closed. In such relation lugor `abutment d4 of latch Lis bearing vagainst the reduced part or lip i5of the horizontal reach 45 of the pivoted handle broadly denoted 41,having itslower and inclined limb Sil provided with a flared-andbifurcated part 50 having the tapered recess 5| receiving fulcrurn tooth52 of casing C projecting into Aoutwardly contracted tapered opening 53defining tapered sides straddling and interlocking with the sides of theflared part 50. By this arrangement, handle d1 may be slightly pivotedor rocked relative to the casing C which is characterized by Vthehorizontal slot |553 for slidablyY guiding reach 46- which is limitedinits horizontal displacement by the vertical stop pin 54 threaded intocasing C. Pin 54 is arranged in slot. 55 in reach de. Thisslot is longerthan the diameter of pin 5t, thereby permitting limited Vmovement ofreach 125. When the snuifer is lockedby latch L, lug 44 acts on thereduced portion 5to hold handle 41 normally retracted.

-On closing of the snuffer, collar 40 acts on washer 4| on shoulder |5Ato depress or bodily shift nipple l5 downwardly relative to iiint holderFH seated in bossRS. By such Iaction fuel tank is. bodily,7 shifteddownwardly against the resistance of spring i3 thus dening gap G (Fig.3). `During such action boss Il also moves away from cap I8 of the flintholding tube T, thus producing gap Y. In other words; when the snufferis moving to its closed position, the fuel tank is bodily and slidablydisplaced vrelative to the casing and flint holder FH effectively're-Vtained therein.

By pressing handle 4l towards the casing, reachi slides inwardly. Bysuch action, reduced portion 45 urges lug 4&5 inwardly, thusdisengagingv latch L from the snuier whichdue to the action of springarms 33, `automatically lifts consequently'causing wheel25 to rotate andissue sparksfrom flint F. These sparks are directed towards theupperpart of wick Wto produce a ame as is well understood. The pivotedkhandle 4'1 may be considered as an 'actuator for operating the springcontrolled latch L.

Howeveron opening of the snuffer SN, fuel tank FI, automaticallyelevates or retracts due to the action of spring I3, until the top wallI6 strikes the bottom wall 2| of boss RS which in this instance acts asa stop. It is thus apparent that the fuel tank is bodily responsive tothe opening and closing actions of the snuffel'.

Companion handle 5t is along the lines of handle li' except that itsreach is fixed against displacement by pin 62 threaded into the casing.Both 4handles 'il and t@ are retained in the casing by spaced lips ast@loosely interlocking with and straddling iiared portions 5|, however aspreviously stated, handle 41 is pivoted while handle is anchored againstdisplacement.

Y Annular rim R of bowl B is threaded to cooperatewith theinternallythreaded lower portion 64. of .the cylindrical casing C. Hence, bowl Bmay be quickly attached or detached from casing C. If detached fuel tankFT can be readily removed from the bow1 and supplied with additionalfuel upon removal of the closure I4. This fuel may be gasoline foradequately saturating wick W. Y

In the embodiment according to Figs. 9 to 11,I no-slidably guided fueltank is provided. However, the snuifer SN has its collar 40? cooperatingto extinguish the ame of wick W in tube or nipple 5f xedlycarried by andprojecting above and below flint holder FI-I'. The lower portion ofnipple I5 also extends intoopening '|.0`of 'the bottom wall of recess7|- i-n which the flintholder FHV is appropriately positioned.

Wick W is embedded vin cotton CB placed in bowl BC This-cotton issaturated with gasoline. Pin 36 carried by latch Lis rotatably journaledin the spaced lugs 38. This` latch is provided with a cam shaped lug 12adapted to be actuated by companion lug 45' `of' the pivoted .handle 41.In other aspects, .the form shown in. Figs. 9-11 is substantially alongthe lines ofthe embodiinent according to Figs. l-8.

Various changes may be made indetails of construction and arrangement ofparts without departing from thespiritof the invention or sacricing anyof the advantages thereof inherent therein.

, Iclaim:

1. In a lighter, a housing having a bowl, a casing above. saidbowl,.means detachably securing said casing to said bowl, spring meanscarried by said bow1, a fuel tank movably ydisposed within said bowl andcasing and seated on said spring means, a flint holder withinsaidcasing, said tank having wick carrying means slidably guided by saidholder,Y and a spring controlled snuffer pivoted to said holder andhaving means cooperating with said carrying means to bodily depress saidfuel tank against the resistance of said spring means on closing of saidsnulfer.

2. In a lighter, a housing having a bowl, a casing, meansdetachablysecuring said casing to said bowl, spring means carried bysaid bowl, a fuel tank movably disposed withinsaid bowl and casing andseated on said spring means,` a flint holder within said casing, saidtank having vwick carrying means slidablyguided bysaid holder, a springcontrolled snuffer pivoted to said holder and having means cooperatingwith said carrying means to bodily depress said fuel tank against theresistance of said spirng means on closin'gof said snuier, keeper meanson said snuifenlatch means pivoted relative to said holder and havingmeans for interlocking with said keeper means, a spring for maintaining.said latch interlocked with said keeper means, and means movably carriedby said casing'fo'r actuating said latch againstthe resistance of saidspring to open said snufe'r for 'automatically *elevating said fueltank..;'r f 1 -`."3.l Inaflighter, a housingliaving a bowl,acasirig",`means'detachab1y securing said casing-'to said bowl,springfmeans carriedbyfsaid bowl;y a'fuel tank movably disposed withinsaid bowl and casing and seated on said spring means, a iiint holderwithin said casing, said tank having wick carrying means slidably guidedby said holder, a spring controlled snuffer pivoted to said holder andhaving means cooperating with said carrying means to bodily depress saidfuel tank against the resistance of said spring means on closing of saidsnuier, keeper means on said snuffer, latch means pivoted relative tosaid holder and having means for interlocking with said keeper means,aspring for maintaining said latch interlocked with said keeper means,and a handle having its lower portion pivotally retained and having anupper reach including means for operating said latch against theresistance of said spring to open said snuifer for automaticallyelevating said fuel tank.

4. In a lighter, a housing having a bowl, a casing having guide means,means detachably securing said casing to said bowl, spring means carriedby said bowl, a fuel tank movably disposed within said bowl and casingand seated on said spring means, a flint holder within said casing, saidtank having wick carrying means slidably guided by said holder, a springcontrolled snuifer pivoted to said holder and having means cooperatingwtih said carrying means to bodily depress said fuel tank against theresistance of said spring means on closing of said snuifer, keeper meanson said snuffer, latch means pivoted relative to said holder and havingmeans for interlocking with said keeper means, a spring for maintainingsaid latch interlocked with said keeper means, a handle at one side ofsaid casing and having a reach slidably disposed in said guide means andhaving a limb depending from said reach, means pivotally retaining saidlimb to said side, means to limit displacement of said reach, abutmentmeans on said latch, and resilient means for normally urging saidabutment means against said limb.

5. In a lighter, a housing having a bowl, a casing, means detachablysecuring said casing to said bowl, spring means carried by said bowl, afuel tank movably disposed within said bowl and casing and having at itslower portion a remov able plug seated on said sp-ring means, a` intholder within said casing and having an opening, said tank having wickcarrying means slidably guided within said opening, a spring controlledsnuier pivoted to said holder and having means cooperating with saidcarrying means to bodily depress said fuel tankagainst the resistance ofsaid spring means on closing of said snuffer, keeper means on saidsnuifer, latch means pivoted relative to said holder and having meansfor interlocking with said keeper means, a spring for maintaining saidlatch mterlocked with said keeper means, and means movably carried bysaid casing for actuating said latch against the resistance of saidspring to open said snuffer for automatically elevating said fuel tank.

6.V In a lighter, a housing having a bowl, a casing, means detachablysecuring said casing to said bowl, spring means carried by said bowl, afuel tank movably disposed within said bowl and casing and seated onsaid spring means, a iiint Uli holder ,retained within said casingandhaving an opening, said tank having wick carrying means projecting fromthe upper wall thereof and slidably'guided within said opening, aresilient washer about the upper end of said carrying means, a springcontrolled snuffer pivoted to said holder and having tubular meanscooperating with said washer to bodily depress said fuel tank againstthe resistance of said spring'means on closing of said snuffer, keepermeans onsaid snuer, latch means pivoted relative to said holder andhaving means for interlocking with ysaid keeper means, a spring formaintaining said latch inter-locked with said keeper means, and meansmovably carried by said casing for actuating said latch against theresistance of said spring to open said snuffer for automaticallyelevating said fuel tank.

7. In a lighter, a housing having a bowl, a casing having a bossdepending from the upper wail thereof, means detachably securing saidcasing to said bowl, a fuel tank movably disposed within said bowl andcasing, spring means for normally holding said fuel tank against saidboss, a flint holder within said casing, said tank having wick carrying'means slidably guided by said holder, a washer seated on said carryingmeans, a spring controlled snuffer pivoted to said holder and havingdepending tubular means cooperating with said carrying means to bodilydepress said fuel tank away from said boss and against the resist :anceof said spring means on closing of said snuiier, keeper means on saidsnuffer, latch means pivoted relative to said holder and having meansfor interlocking with said keeper means, abutment means on said latchmeans, a spring for :maintaining said latch interlocked with said keepermeans, and means movably carried by said casing for actuating saidabutment means against the resistance of said spring to open saidsnuifer for automatically elevating said fuel tank towards said boss.

8. In a lighter, a casing having guide means, a flint holder within saidcasing and having an opening, wick carrying means in part received insaid opening, a spring controlled snuffer pivoted to said holder andhaving means for closing said carrying means, keeper means on saidsnuffer, latch means pivoted relative to said holder and having meansfor removably interlocking with lsaid keeper means, a spring formaintaining said latch interlock with said keeper means, a manipulatablehandle at one side of and in part overhanging said casing and having areach in part .slidably disposed in said guide means, a limb dependingfrom and inclined relative to said 'reach and casing, means pivotallyretaining said limb to said side, means to limit displacement of saidreach, abutment means on said latch, and said spring also normallyurging said abutment means against said limb.

9. In a lighter, a housing having a bowl for receiving cotton, a casingadapted to receive a. part of said cotton, means detachably securingsaid easing to said bowl, a flint holder within said casing, wickcarrying means within said casing. .a spring controlled snuffer pivotedto said holder and having means for closing said carrying means, keepermeans on said snuffer, latch means pivoted relative to said holder andhaving means for detachably interlocking with said keeper means, aspring for maintaining said latch interlocked with said keeper means, ahandle disposed at one side of said casing having a downwardly andinwardly inclined limb having its lower end 7 pivoted to-said-sideandhaving a horizontal vreach fom actuating vsaid-j1a.cll andsldablyguided by said casing,l said latch -having abutmen'l meansoooperatingwith said reach to urge said limb in a direction away from-said casing,

FRANK N. MARIANI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of `record in the le ofthis patent:

Number 8 UNITED .STATES vP-A'IENTS Name D'ate Dubin'ski May 14; 1912Hofmann Feb. 3,1914 Ritz WolleiV Feb. 16, 1932 Cohen Mar. 20, 1934Mariani Aug. 30, 1949

